Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has addressed Nigerians by describing Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, as the first female Nigerian singer to win a Grammy award.
WITHIN NIGERIA previously reported that the “Free Mind” singer, who was nominated for ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ and ‘Best Rap Song,’ won the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Tems won the award for her role in Future’s 2022 hit song “Wait for U,” which features Drake.
Reno Omokri debunked claims that Nigerian-British singer Sade Adu never identified as Nigerian in a social media post.
He said Sade should not be disgraced while honoring Tems because she was the first female Nigerian singer to win a Grammy in 1986.
According to Reno, Sade has spent 40 years promoting Nigeria, and crediting her to Tems would be incorrect.
He wrote:
Sade Adu has always identified with Nigeria. When interviewed, she stressed her Nigerianness. She did not funkify her name to make it sound European.
In interview after interview, she asserted the fact that she is a Nigerian born in Ibadan. So, let us appreciate her. She is the first Nigerian female to win a Grammy in 1986. In honouring another female who eminently deserves to be honoured, let us not dishonour Sade Adu.
By saying someone else is the first Nigerian female to win a Grammy, what we are telling Ms. Adu is that she is not a Nigerian. I know many people will rush here to insult me. But before commenting, take a minute to put yourself in Sade Adu’s shoes.
You have spent 40 years promoting Nigeria. Insisting to the British media that you are Nigerian when they proudly claimed you for Britain. Then today, you read that someone else is the first Nigerian female to win a Grammy. How would you feel? If after you have put yourself in Sade Adu’s shoes you still feel the need to insult me, then please go ahead.
